Shelby talks policy to prohibit products' use

By Alicia Banks

Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 06:15 PM.

“We would like the city of Shelby to take one more step in improving public health,” Short said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently awarded the state a community transformation grant focusing on four health areas, including tobacco-free environments. The grant would pay for any signage and education tools the city requires to educate the public on the ban.

Short said in order to obtain the grant money, council would have to vote on the issue at its next meeting in May.

The policy also includes prohibiting all tobacco products on Royster Memorial Golf Course, located at the main city park.

Bailey said although he doesn’t support smoking, he’s not in favor of banning tobacco products on the golf course.

“If you make the golf course smoke-free, no one will come,” he said during this week's city council meeting. “Some golfers smoke.”

Bailey said he will not support the ban if the golf course and fishing area in Holly Oak Park remain in the ban’s range.

The Star asked its Facebook fans for their thoughts on the proposed policy change.

“I’m a smoker, but I think it would be a great idea,” Danny Peterson wrote on The Star’s Facebook page.

Jimmy Phillips called the proposal a “bad idea.” He noted that he and others smoke while playing golf.

“If I want to smoke while I play, I should be allowed to do just that…If you don’t want to smoke, then that is your right, just as it is my right to smoke. Don’t tread on the rights of others to please a few do-gooders,” Phillips wrote.

Angela Weathers Culbertson expressed an opposing view.

“There’s nothing like going out into the fresh air just to breathe up somebody’s cigarette smoke,” she wrote.

Members of the Shelby Mad-Dawg Golfers used Facebook to voice their dissent on the ban. One member called the ban a “bad idea.” Another wrote he’d want his membership fee at the park refunded.

Former Shelby Mayor Mike Philbeck said he won’t be able to play on the golf course if the ban is approved because he likes to enjoy a cigar while he plays golf.

'Relying on peer pressure'

Current park guidelines prevent players, coaches and umpires from smoking during games hosted on the park’s athletic fields, said Allen Langley, chairman for the Shelby City Park Advisory Board. The swimming pool at Shelby City Park has a designated area for smokers.

A tobacco ban on park facilities isn’t new. Short said nearby cities such as Pinehurst, Concord, Salisbury and Lenoir have similar policies or ordinances in place.

The proposed policy for Shelby City Parks doesn’t carry a penalty or fine if someone smokes on the premises.

“A self-enforcing policy would be more effective, similar to a tobacco-free policy initiated by the school system,” Short said. “We’re relying on peer pressure to get folks to not use tobacco products on the course.”

The Shelby City Park Advisory Board approved the policy before city council heard the proposal. But board members changed portions of the policy before moving the issue for council’s hearing, including provisions that tobacco violators wouldn’t be asked to leave the premises and park employees wouldn’t carry the burden of enforcing the proposed regulation, Langley said.

“We (the board) represent both tobacco and non-tobacco users. We don’t want to drive anyone from the park, but we see the statistics about how much heart disease is caused by smoking,” Langley said.

Everyone should feel comfortable using the parks, Langley said.

Five out of nine advisory board members were present to hear the policy. They voted unanimously for moving along the proposal.

'One more step in improving public health'

The Star previously reported that Cleveland County ranked as the 83rd healthiest county in the state, according to a national survey. A self-reported county survey showed 30 percent of the county's adults smoke.

Health effects from smoking cost the state more than $5 billion annually, according to a June 2011 article in the North Carolina Medical Journal.

“We would like the city of Shelby to take one more step in improving public health,” Short said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently awarded the state a community transformation grant focusing on four health areas, including tobacco-free environments. The grant would pay for any signage and education tools the city requires to educate the public on the ban.

Short said in order to obtain the grant money, council would have to vote on the issue at its next meeting in May.

What do you think of the tobacco-free ban proposed for Shelby city parks? Here’s a sample of the response. To join the conversation, “like” The Shelby Star on Facebook.

Personally, I believe that we shouldn't smoke in the actual area where children play but if they are wanting to ban smoking, maybe they could be courteous enough to designate an area where smokers can smoke away from the playground. Just an idea.

- Shannon Whatley

I'm getting tired of people telling us what we can and can't do. We need to worry about more important things than that. Plus, anybody ever thought about car exhaust? That is just as bad.

- Bill Arey

I can see the rationale behind it to a degree. Careless disposal can easily cause fires in drier areas, even with the newer FSC cigarettes, which yields a potential for disaster. I agree with Shannon. I wouldn't want anyone smoking around my child(ren). However, as far as I'm concerned, a designated area or areas for smoking would be sufficient.

- Tony Izzi

I don’t smoke, but it’s open air and their right as Americans. Honestly, this idea is ludicrous.

- Rusty Dills

Ban it everywhere, except a designed space, and that space should be a good distance away so no one has to walk past it, unlike the one at the courthouse…

- Tammy Camp Trammel

Good idea.

- Chasity Hill

I’m a smoker, but I won't smoke in my own home. Some children like my daughter have terrible allergies, so no, there should be no smoking in parks where children play nor should people smoke around children at all!

- Dionne Madison

What did Shelby City Council members say?

“I would like staff to view this. I think it’s important for children, and future events we’re trying to bring. “

-Chris Mabry

“Nothing bothers me more than seeing a teenager with a big old wad of tobacco. The parks and rec board voted unanimously, and we owe it to them to look at it.”

-Joel Shores

“I love the golf course. I hate smoking, but if you make the golf course smoke-free, no one will come. I think we’re getting too deep into things to keep people from smoking if they were fishing or in certain open areas.”

-Dennis Bailey

What is the ‘tobacco-free policy for parks?’

A proposed ban on tobacco use in proximity of children, youth and adults engaging in or watching recreational activities in Shelby city parks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently awarded the state a community transformation grant focusing on four health areas, including tobacco-free environments. The grant would pay for any signage and education tools the city requires to educate the public on the ban.

Short said in order to obtain the grant money, council would have to vote on the issue at its next meeting in May.